Get er Done

So we are loving life in the south, loving the slower pace, loving all the activities there are to do here.  I just wish we would have done it sooner.  We were just stuck in a rut, constantly waiting for life to just happen, waiting for things to happen to us instead of getting out there and doing what we wanted and what we needed.
We wanted a change, we needed a change and we made it happen and now couldn't be happier.  The kids seem much happier too, I am sure they sense how happy we are and that certainly affects them.  So with summer here things are just so much better, there is so much to do, there are places to go, there are things to see.   I am still working on meeting people, meeting other moms.  Meeting people is definitely the hardest part for me,  I am shy by nature and have an extremely hard time putting myself out there, but I am working on it.  I hope that if you are stuck in a rut that you will just get out there and make a change.
I have been thinking about this a lot lately,  I am trying desperately to lose weight but have lost the motivation to do it, I know it's not rocket science. I just have to do it, no excuses, just do it now.  I don't want to spend a fortune. I don't want to buy special potions and foods, but sometimes I just have a hard time figuring it out.  So it's time to use the same attitude and just get it done.  

Me Time, Stress Time, Hive Time

Learning to take time for myself is not easy at all.  I become paralyzed with the idea of "Me Time."  I don't know what to do with myself, I feel like I am being frivelous.  I feel like I do not deserve it, I feel like I should be doing something for my kids or with my kids.  Our master bath has a huge tub and my hubby bought me some bath bombs for Mother's Day in hopes that I would take a bath and learn to relax. NOPE! Trust me I tried, I filled the tub put the flowery scented bath bomb in and sat in the tub. I tried to relax really I did, it lasted for about 5 minutes, and I hopped right out.  It's official I do not know how to relax, I can't turn my brain off and do nothing, I just cannot do it.  I start running things in my head of all the things that I have to do, and say what the hell am I doing in this tub when I have all that stuff to do.
So hubby has told me that I need to take a few hours for myself tomorrow, because I have been stressing out a lot lately.  I have had a few episodes of hives which are always a fun time and I have been getting headaches.  These are usually signs that I need a break.  Having a special needs child can be very stressful, I just start thinking and the list plays in my head.
-Am I doing what I need to do for her?
-Am I doing enough for her?
-What else can I be doing for her?
-Am I pushing her too hard?
-Why isn't she walking?
-Why isn't she talking?
-When will she walk?
-When will she talk?
-Why does she have to start school at 3?
-Will I enroll her in school?
-Will I homeschool her?
-What if she can't go to her neighborhood school?
-Will she have friends?
-I don' t take her out enough
-I should get her into a class
-Am I not doing enough for my son?
The list just goes on and on and on over and over and over again in my head and I can't just sit and be quiet and let it settle in my brain and be at peace with the fact that I have done enough today.  I always feel like there is more, there is always more that I could be doing for my kids.  I can't keep doing this to myself though because the stress is not good.  Why is it that anything I do is never good enough for me?  I am always so hard on myself, I am in most cases my worst critic, my worst enemy.  I am trying to fix this about me,  I am trying but I am having a really hard time changing.
If you have a solution or advice I would love to hear it, let me know in the comments.

OUR KIDS HAVE THE BEST DADDY

It's Father's Day weekend and I thought I would use today's blog to thank my hubby for being the best Daddy that two kids could ever have.  He devotes all his free time to our children, he spends time with them both.  He loves them both unconditionally.

When our daughter was born he didn't let the Down Syndrome scare him, he accepted it and loves her more than any Daddy could ever love a little girl. I am so lucky to have him and so glad to call him mine.  Our children are so lucky to have him as their Dad.  I don't tell him everyday but I am so grateful to him and all he does for our family and for the time he devotes to me and our children.

WHAT YOU SHOULD NEVER SAY TO A PARENT OF A DOWN SYNDROME CHILD

I am going to start a running list of the things you should NEVER EVER say to a parent of a Down Syndrome child out of respect and just plain kindness.  If you are going to say any of the following or close to it, it is probably best that you just keep your mouth shut.

1. I am sorry- sorry for what?

2. She doesn't look like she has Down Syndrome are you sure?  No I am not freaking sure you idiot, of course I'm sure.

3.  Do you know if she will be high functioning?  She will have strengths and weaknesses just like everyone else. Are you high functioning?

4. Did you know before you had her?  Does that really matter?

5.Did you consider abortion?  No did your mother consider abortion?

6.  It could be worse.  Really?  Thanks for pointing that out.

7.  You are not going to have anymore children I hope.  Nope hadn't planned on it not that it is any of your business.

8.  They don't live very long you know?  There are no words for this comment.

9. What's wrong with her?  Nothing what's wrong with you?

10. Maybe she'll grow out of it.  Ummm nope she won't, moron.

11. Down Syndrome people are always so happy!!!!! Actually she can get pretty moody just like anyone else.
12. God only gives you what you can handle. I believe this to be true almost 2 years later but isn't something I wanted to hear when she was born.
13. She will be able to work in McDonalds!!! Gee thanks, not that there is anything wrong with working in McDonalds, but let's be honest here, when you have a kid your hopes and dreams for them don't ever include the words, McDonalds or flipping burgers.
14.She will do things in her own time!!!! Yes I am aware.
15. You will always have your baby she will never grow up!!! Ummm I think she will she won't always be a baby.
16. The toddler years for Down Syndrome kids lasts FOREVER, she won't be potty trained until she is 6 or 7.  REALLY? Thanks for your input, now shut up.
17. Hopefully she will have friends.  Do you doubt that she will have friends? Why? Because of people like you, who are ignorant?
18. You must not have taken care of yourself when you were pregnant?  Really jackass, actually I did EVERYTHING I was supposed to do. Get a clue.
19. You must be out of your mind bringing a child like that into the world!  Apparently whoever brought you into the world was out of their mind too.
20. You know Down Syndrome kids are in danger of getting (insert disease here) YES, you poor excuse of a human being I am well aware, I have read the research and the books and YES I know, now please keep your "advice" to yourself.
21. Why would you take her anywhere, it's not like she knows what's going on around her.  Ummm yes she does know what is going on and I hope she's thinking boy this guy's an ass.

All of these things have been said to me in some way or another.  People can be so incredibly rude and obnoxious. 

Summer Babies

My kids are summer babies so July and August are usually filled with lots of birthday activities, cakes, parties, and balloons.  This is the first year that my son will not be having a big party but he is going to get to go to Disney World so I think that is a fair trade.  I am sure that there will still be cake and celebration and decorations galore.  As for little miss she hasn't had a birthday party yet in her little life, she was sick on her 1st birthday and this year all our family is in another state.  We will probably visit Disney then too because why not.  

My son started summer vacation and today we experienced Tropical Storm Andrea. So it was an indoor, stay in your pajamas kind of day. I hope the rest of the summer is nice, warm and sunny. I want to start getting more active.  Well I hope all is well out there.  I hope you are all loving your summer so far.

Summer 2013 Bucket List

So we started our Summer 2013 Bucket List

Go to the beach
Go bike riding through our neighborhood
Take pictures through the neighborhood
Go to a children's museum
Go on a scavenger hunt
Go to Lake Park
Go to the playground
Water balloon fight
Create art master pieces
Make s'mores
Have breakfast for dinner
Catch lightening bugs
Build a fabulous sand castle
Pick a book series to read
Go to free concerts
Go to the aquarium
Get together with family
Have a BBQ and invite some new friends over
Collect sea shells
Swim in the pool
Go to Lego Land
Go to Disney
Go to a water park
Go fruit and veggie picking
Take pictures of things that remind you about summer
Try homeschooling
Take a walk everyday (okay more like twice a week)
Visit a zoo
Lunch with Dad
Mini golf
Go on a road trip
See grandma and pa
Have a birthday celebration for D
Have a birthday celebration for L
Go to a Flea Market